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Applying for ICF ACC Credential

August 27, 2025|Lisa Polito

Applying for ICF ACC Credential (Level 1 Coaching Credential)

If you are looking to apply for your Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), you will need to meet the following requirements:

✅ Core Requirements:

  1. Coach Education: Minimum of 60 hours of coach-specific training
  2. Coaching Experience: 100 hours of client coaching experience (self-logged; subject to potential audit)
  3. Mentor Coaching: 10 hours with a qualified ICF PCC or MCC coach
  4. Performance Evaluation: One recorded coaching session evaluated by a PCC or MCC assessor
  5. ICF Credentialing Exam: A rigorous exam taken under formal conditions. Please note, there is a separate cost for ICF membership and the exam.

🛤 Credential Pathways:

There are three main pathways to gaining your ICF credential:

  1. Level 1 PathwayComplete an ICF-accredited Level 1 course which includes all required training and performance evaluation. You will still need to log your 100 hours of coaching experience and complete mentor coaching and the exam separately.
  2. Level 2 PathwayInvolves a more advanced ICF-accredited program that can lead to PCC (Professional Certified Coach) accreditation, often suitable for those with more experience.
  3. Portfolio PathwayThis route allows you to apply with training and continuing coach education (CCE) hours from a variety of sources, rather than a single ICF-accredited course. You must still independently fulfil the mentor coaching and performance evaluation requirements.

🧠 How This Applies to You:

If you have completed our NTICC, STICC, or TIPP programmes, you may have already met the coach education requirements via CCE points. This means the Portfolio Pathway may be suitable for you.

You will still need to:

  1. Log your 100 coaching hours independently
  2. Arrange and pay for 10 hours of mentor coaching with a qualified PCC or MCC coach
  3. Complete a performance evaluation
  4. Apply and pay for the ICF exam separately

🔁 Reaccreditation:

ICF credentials must be renewed every 3 years. Reaccreditation requires 40 CCE units, which can include previous programmes such as STICC and TIPP.

If you would like to explore your options further or get guidance on the next steps, please contact:

📧 Helen Johnson — helenjohnson@carolinestrawson.com